Skill games become illegal and small business workers lose their jobs: ‘It’s awful’
A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling has forced skill-game machines out of businesses, prompting layoffs and lost revenue.
(The Center Square)
Retirees face $5,500 average cut to annual Social Security benefits in 2032
Over 60 million Americans could see their monthly Social Security checks slashed by $500 on average starting in 2032, according to a new report analyzing the impacts of the retirement trust fund’s insolvency. Absent immediate major reforms, the retirement trust fund will be exhausted in less than seven years, automatically triggering a 24% across-the-board benefit
Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.
By Brett Rowland | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic senators are advancing a series of proposals to tax America’s wealthiest households, with supporters projecting trillions in new federal revenue. Critics, however, argue that the plans would generate far less than promised while creating economic and legal complications. Democrats have introduced four major proposals
Fetterman called a traitor by a swing county Democratic Party
By John Cole | The Center Square contributor In the latest chapter of U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s strained relationship with his own party, a key swing county’s Democratic Party has called for him to be voted out of office in 2028. “TRAITOR to Democrats. TRAITOR to Pennsylvanians. TRAITOR to those who worked tirelessly to elect him
AI charter proposal invigorates school choice debate
By Christina Lengyel | The Center Square The Department of Education is seeing renewed interest – and skepticism – in the state’s charter school programs following the rejected application of a cyber school that would enlist teachers as “guides” assisting with AI-driven learning. Thomas Park | Unsplash The incident has underscored the ongoing battle over charter
FEMA’s DEI spending under scrutiny
By Casey Harper | The Center Square (The Center Square) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is facing scrutiny for its spending on diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Lawmakers at a House Oversight Committee hearing Tuesday pressed FEMA head Deanne Criswell on FEMA’s DEI spending. As The Center Square recently reported, FEMA’s 2022-2026 strategic plan named its
Election Day smooth for poll workers amid staffing challenges
By Christina Lengyel | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – With all eyes on Pennsylvania, officials across the commonwealth oversaw a relatively smooth Election Day. And despite occasional local issues ranging from bomb threats to power outages, the state largely averted many of the concerns that lingered from previous elections. “Our counties take elections
A look at the intersection of faith and voting
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributor Sep 30, 2024 Editor’s Note The article has been updated since initial publication to clarify Robert Albino’s name. (The Center Square) – As campaigns battle for votes in swing states like Pennsylvania, the focus is on faith-based voters, whose cultural and religious values drive their decisions. That seems especially
Rumored migrant shelter in Chambersburg stirs up controversy
By Christen Smith | The Center Square A rumored migrant shelter under consideration in Chambersburg, Pa., has stoked controversy as local officials mull zoning issues and community concerns. The Greene Township Board of Supervisors said Monday that there is no imminent proposal, nor have they been told to expect one. Instead, they’ve heard from a presumed
State-run college tuition frozen for 7th year in a row
After another funding increase from the state, Pennsylvania’s public colleges will again freeze tuition for the seventh year. The $35 million boost (a 6% increase) in the state budget for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education keeps tuition at $7,716 for undergrads. Pennsylvania was an early adopter of tuition freezes; the University of North
Independent pharmacies rally for help against ‘the big three’
By Christina Lengyel | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – Independent pharmacies took center stage earlier this month in support of a bipartisan bill that would rein in the “shadowy middlemen” who control contracts between their businesses and drug companies. State Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Carrick, and Abby Major, R-Ford City, held a press conference
First responders may soon get workers comp for PTSD
by Christen Smith (The Center Square) – First responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder may soon qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania. Grace David | The Center Square The state House of Representatives approved a proposal on Wednesday to expand the program to cover those living with the condition. Twenty-five other states have already
American marten ‘not yet’ coming back to Pennsylvania
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — After years of research, a proposed plan, and a vote to table it, returning the American marten to the woods of Pennsylvania has been postponed — indefinitely. An American marten, which the Pennsylvania Game Commission proposes to reintroduce into the commonwealth.T. Graziano | Pennsylvania Game
Mastriano bill proposes new fees for international wire transfers
by Lauren Jessup (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania could be the second state in the nation to pass legislation that would generate revenue by imposing a fee on international wire transfers sent by undocumented immigrants back to relatives and friends in their home countries. Senators Doug Mastriano, R-Chambersburg, and Chris Gebhard, R-Lebanon, said they will
Gun tax-funded public safety bill in legislative limbo
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — Republican lawmakers tend to emphasize public safety more, but House Democrats say it’s them who are dragging their feet on legislation that addresses the issue. “We’ve sent over 230 substantive pieces of public policy in the form of legislation to the Senate and they have
Game Commission control of rural land worries legislators
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — Legislators from rural Pennsylvania have been wary of expansion by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, concerned that more land under its ownership cuts into development and tax revenues. Jim Hale | Pennsylvania Game Commission via Facebook During a Senate Game & Fisheries Committee on Thursday, they
More car dealerships join call to ‘tap the brakes’ on EVs
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – Nearly 4,500 dealerships representing all major auto manufacturing brands from every state recently signed a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to “tap the brakes” on his proposed electric vehicle mandate based on a lack of consumer demand. Since the letter was sent in November
Pennsylvania’s SNAP benefits up 76% since 2019
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — When the pandemic hit, state and federal governments upped financial aid to the public with more welfare benefits, stimulus checks, and loans. That aid is still high in some cases, with no signs of changing. In Pennsylvania, total monthly SNAP benefits are up 76% compared
Year in Review: Pennsylvania’s electric vehicle marathon
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – Over the last year, Pennsylvania set out in earnest to meet federal goals for the electric vehicle transition. Christen Smith | The Center Square It’s been an expensive and complex process, most of which is yet to be decided. The Biden administration set a target for
Bigger childcare tax credit coming to Pennsylvania
By Christina Lengyel | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – Families will see a boost in their tax returns in 2024 after the state expanded its Child and Dependent Care tax credit. The expansion – part of a wider series of bills that direct state spending on programs for schools, the criminal justice system,
CATO: Pennsylvania ‘freer’ than neighboring states
By Christen Smith | The Center Square (The Center Square) – A new analysis from the CATO Institute found that Pennsylvania ranks 18th nationwide for “personal and economic freedom.” The commonwealth rated higher than all of its neighbors, according to the report, based on laws and regulations that impact personal, regulatory, and financial liberties. Pennsylvania ranks fifth
Lawmakers still divided over marijuana legalization
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — As almost half of all states allow recreational marijuana, it sometimes feels inevitable that Pennsylvania will follow the lead of their neighbors. Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock During a committee hearing, though, opposition remains significant. The House Health Subcommittee on Health Care heard testimony on Wednesday,
Report calls Pennsylvania a taxpayer ‘sinkhole’
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – An organization that ranks the fiscal health of all states said Pennsylvania scored a D after records showed the government lacked enough money to pay the bills in 2022. Grace David | The Center Square The recently released 14th annual Financial State of the States report by
Democratic governors to Biden: Migrant crisis is ‘untenable,’ border ‘too open’
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is telling President Joe Biden the numbers of migrants arriving to Chicago from the southern U.S. border are accelerating. The situation is overwhelming, untenable and uncoordinated, he added. President Joe Biden greets Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, from left, Rep. Mike Quigley,
Pennsylvania opts into automatic voter registration
By Christen Smith | The Center Square Eric Glenn | Shutterstock (The Center Square) – Residents receiving or renewing driver’s licenses and state ID cards will be automatically registered to vote. Gov. Josh Shapiro made the announcement early Tuesday, joining Pennsylvania to a list of 23 other states — including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Georgia,
State waives bus driver regulation amid persistent shortage
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — The pandemic revealed all sorts of problems in Pennsylvania’s education system. School districts struggling to recruit school bus drivers was an overlooked one, and the problem hasn’t abated. Students wait to board a school bus in Philadelphia. 4kclips | Shutterstock PennDOT, however, took a step
California leads 20-state coalition to block bans on some gender care for minors
By Kenneth Schrupp | The Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta, left, speaks during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., on Monday, May 1, 2023. Adam Beam / AP Photo California attorney general Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of 20 states opposing what they describe as “anti-transgender” laws in Tennessee and Kentucky blocking
14 AGs want action on ‘plastic pollution crisis’
By Tom Gantert | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Fourteen state attorneys general asked the Biden Administration to do more to “combat the plastic pollution crisis.” Jeremy DeBenedictis, President of Alterra Energy, stands in the storage area of shredded plastics his company receives from recycling facilities in their facility in Akron, Ohio, on Thursday,
Pennsylvania’s natural gas boom year may go bust
Shutterstock photo (The Center Square) — A boom year from natural gas impact fees in 2022 could be followed by a dramatic drop in payments, according to a recent analysis. The data suggests that, rather than setting a new floor and bringing in steady funding in the future, recent record-setting payments are a blip. The analysis,
Bipartisanship shatters after Shapiro washes hands of budget compromise
By Christen Smith | The Center Square Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro unveils his budget proposal on March 7, 2023.Commonwealth Media Services | Contributed photo Editor’s Note: The story has been updated since initial publication to include a statement from Senate President Kim Ward, R-Greensburg. (The Center Square) – Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro blamed legislators, namely
Forward party sets sights on Pennsylvania
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributor Jun 30, 2023 (The Center Square) – A new political party wants to bridge the partisan divide and give voters more sway over the election process. Democratic Sens. Lisa Boscola and Tony Williams speak at an event in support of the Forward political party in Harrisburg, Pa. Provided
To be or not be a sanctuary state, that is the question for lawmakers
By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributor Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico: Hundreds of Venezuelan migrants crossed the Rio Bravo after the judge announced the suspension of Title 42 to request humanitarian asylum in the United States.David Peinado Romero | Shutterstock (The Center Square) – To be, or not to be, a sanctuary state – that is
Paid family leave tax plan clears first legislative hurdle
By Christina Lengyel | The Center Square contributor Jun 8, 2023 (The Center Square) – Long a priority for Democratic lawmakers, a plan to create a paid family leave tax cleared its first legislative hurdle this week. Following an impassioned debate between lawmakers on the House Labor and Industry Committee, a proposal to establish statewide family and
Bipartisan support for mandatory rehab after repeat overdoses
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square May 31, 2023 (The Center Square) – Despite the proliferation of anti-overdose drugs and fentanyl test strips in recent years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle believe involuntary commitment may be the next step necessary to ease the opioid crisis. Trash, including discarded syringes and other rubbish, in an
Pennsylvania EMS ‘can no longer BBQ their way to a new fire truck’
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Long-simmering problems in Pennsylvania’s emergency medical services system have created stress points for ambulance services and fire departments big and small. The House Democratic Policy Committee held a panel on Friday to hear from first responders on where their legislative priorities should be to
Pennsylvania sixth-friendliest for gambling, but not without costs
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — Pennsylvania’s gambling industry has seen major growth in recent years, bringing billions of dollars in tax revenue to the state budget – but also addiction problems and demands for subsidies. Nationally, the commonwealth is near the top for gambling. A ranking from WalletHub, a personal-finance site,
Pennsylvania’s biggest coal plant will shutter by July
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square Apr 4, 2023 The Homer City Power Generation Plant in Homer City, Pennsylvania, 50 miles east of Pittsburgh. By A. L. Spangler | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s largest coal-fired power plant will shut down in July, leaving the commonwealth with only coal refuse-burning facilities. Decommissioning at the
Treatment hindered as drug rehab centers keep up with extra audits
(The Center Square) – Drug rehabilitation centers across Pennsylvania can’t expand services due to regulatory barriers, but they also face another challenge: repetitive audits. The result is reams of paperwork and many hours lost to fulfill state and federal rules – but without the benefits of better accountability or transparency of how taxpayer money gets
No easy fixes for Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage
By Nick Grasso | The Center Square contributor (The Center Square) – While the symptoms fueling the state’s teacher shortage are many, apparent easy fixes are few, according to state officials and educators. College debt, stagnant wages and stressful working conditions drive qualified teachers away in droves, testifiers recently told the Senate Education Committee, as the
Hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk of automation and AI replacement in Pennsylvania
Samuel Stebbins, 24/7 Wall St. via The Center Square The U.S. job market is about to enter an era of unprecedented change that could impact tens of millions of workers. As robotics and artificial intelligence technologies continue to advance, companies will be able to leverage new, cost-effective tools to create and deliver their products to
Taxes, health care, housing riddled with regulatory woes
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – House Republicans want to prioritize the reform of regulatory issues in Pennsylvania, from concerns about taxes and health care to housing and infrastructure. A Tuesday hearing for the House Republican Policy Committee for “common sense state regulatory reform” highlighted the challenges Pennsylvania faces. The challenge
Pennsylvania EMS system teeters on brink of collapse, official says
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square Two Philadelphia Transit Policemen are seen by a Philadelphia Fire Department Emergency Medical Services ambulance. By Alan Budman The Center Square (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s hyperlocal emergency medical services system teeters on the brink of collapse and, officials say, it’s up to legislators to intervene before it’s too
Welfare programs worry lawmakers for different reasons
By Lauren Jessop (The Center Square) – While senators on both sides of the aisle worry about the future of public assistance programs in Pennsylvania, the reforms under consideration seem unlikely to win each other over – even in the fresh era of cooperation ushered in by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Still, optimism abounds. Sen.
Auditor: 12 Pennsylvania school districts hid $400 million to pass tax increases
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – A dozen school districts in Pennsylvania exploited a legal loophole to raise millions of dollars in new taxes on the public without putting it to a referendum. In the process, they’ve hidden hundreds of millions of dollars in reserve funds that could cover school
Pennsylvania lawmakers aim to stop gas tax hike, but price at the pump expected to fall
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s gas tax is a major funding source for the upkeep and repair of roads and bridges across the state. It’s also one of the highest gas taxes across the nation. An automatic increase of the tax, set to kick in 2023, is now causing
Boost in Pennsylvania tax revenues negated by inflation
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square 12 hrs ago (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s general fund revenues have stayed healthy, and may outpace 2021 by 4%. However, inflationary pressures that have driven up the costs of goods and services paid for by the state, put a damper on extra revenues. An analysis from the Allegheny Institute highlighted the
Pennsylvania’s labor force participation continues to fall
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square Dec 20, 2022 (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s number of open jobs remains high while its number of workers in the labor force continues to shrink. The trend, which has been ongoing for years, became worse when the pandemic hit in March 2020. The commonwealth has struggled to recover to
Pennsylvania’s deer season shift a tradeoff in boosting licenses and preserving tradition
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square Pennsylvania’s recent shift of deer season’s start date wasn’t universally loved, but the deer harvest has continued to grow since 2015. Ysbrand Cosijn / Shutterstock.com The Pennsylvania Game Commission upset a number of hunters in 2019 when it voted to move the start of deer season to the Saturday
As Pennsylvania certifies and audits election, lawsuits and a deadlock may slow it down
As Pennsylvania counties submit certified election results to the Department of State, state officials are conducting audits to ensure no mistakes occurred. Counties were to submit their certified results on Monday, and the department will conduct risk-limiting audits to check counties for any errors. Lawsuits and a split county board could slow down certification, however.
About $4.9B in unemployment fraud unrecovered in Pennsylvania
By Tom Gantert | The Center Square (The Center Square) – There has been $6 billion in unemployment fraud in 2020 and 2021 in Pennsylvania from which about $1.1 billion of that money has been recouped by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. The fraud is spread among the traditional unemployment program and the temporary federal aid that
Pennsylvania veterans still struggle with mental health, homelessness
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Recent federal legislation has expanded health care benefits for veterans, but suicide and homelessness still remain issues of concern in Pennsylvania. The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, as The Center Square previously reported, expands and extends eligibility for health care through Veterans Affairs health centers.
Broadband expansion in Pennsylvania could give rural economies a boost
(The Center Square) – The federal largesse that will fund broadband expansion in Pennsylvania has two major political concerns: the potential economic growth due to business and education using broadband more, and the threat of a missed opportunity from wasting federal funds. What’s key is connecting the unserved parts of Pennsylvania with the rest of
Tips on a new Pennsylvania law and rewarding your hospitality workers
By Joe Mueller | The Center Square (The Center Square) – If you tip your server in Pennsylvania on Friday, she or he might get to keep more of it and the cumulative amount might affect hourly wages. A new law taking effect increases the amount of money an employee will receive when they get a
Drugmaker agrees to $2.37 billion opiate settlement
By Bruce Walker | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Allergan has agreed in principle to a proposed $2.37 billion settlement to participating states and local governments, including Iowa. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and a bipartisan group of attorneys general announced the settlement Friday. The news comes the same week as a $4.25 billion
Pennsylvania county, second-oldest and smallest, a ‘hidden gem’ weathering the pandemic
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Recent data from the Census Bureau shows that Pennsylvania’s median age, 40.9, is higher than the national average of 38.8. A higher median age doesn’t mean a state will struggle to grow economically or in population – Florida and New Hampshire are older yet growing – but it can
Pennsylvania Legislature sends $1M to address hunger at higher education institutions
By Joe Mueller | The Center Square (The Center Square) – The Pennsylvania Legislature is sending $1 million to college campuses for the upcoming school year to address student food insecurity at institutions of higher learning. The Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program will help colleges and universities create or expand campus food pantries and increase awareness of
Only five governors less popular than Pennsylvania Democrat Tom Wolf
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. Tom Wolf is term-limited and not running for reelection, and it may be for the best. Only five governors in the country are less popular. That’s according to the latest Morning Consult survey, which looked at governors’ popularity across the nation. Wolf isn’t underwater, however.
Police arrests dropped 60% in Pittsburgh, following nationwide trend
By Elyse Apel | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Pittsburgh has a 60% decrease in arrests over the past eight years, following similar trends in many major cities across the country. From 2013 to 2021, the number of arrests made by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police dropped from 18,541 to 7,405. The latest audited report from the city
Pennsylvania’s sales tax: Lower than national average, but a narrow base
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania is well-known for its high gas tax and high corporate net income tax until a recent change, but residents get a break compared to other states in one area: sales tax. A new report from the Tax Foundation notes that Pennsylvania’s combined 6.34% sales tax rate
Pennsylvania gambling expected to hit $5B in revenues for 2022
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – The Pennsylvania gaming industry has recovered from a pandemic dip as options for gambling have increased in recent years. Not only is it a recovery, but strong growth. Total revenues for the industry hit $3.2 billion in 2018 and are projected to crack $5 billion
Where’s the Pennsylvania worker? In retirement or living out-of-state
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Though pandemic restrictions have faded away, Pennsylvania’s economy is yet to bounce back. The commonwealth has lost 120,000 workers since 2019, according to a new report from the Independent Fiscal Office, and its 4.6% unemployment rate is higher than the national rate of 3.6%. The report, “Where Did
More oversight for Pennsylvania nursing home staffing agencies in the pipeline
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Health care service agencies, which supply nursing homes and others with temporary staff, could deal with more oversight and regulation if a bill continues to advance in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Price ceilings that would have capped what staffing agencies could charge, however, were removed
Pennsylvania Senate bill would give voters say in abortion, voter ID
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – A late-night Republican push for a constitutional amendment declaring no right to an abortion has caused controversy. The resolution would also change elections to require voter ID, raise the voting age to 21, and allow gubernatorial candidates to pick their running mate for lieutenant governor,
Philadelphia’s Jim Kenney: ‘I’ll be happy when I’m not mayor’
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – A moment of frustration for Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has led to two city councilmen to call for his resignation. Kenney’s comments came after a shooting incident where two police officers were injured during the city’s Fourth of July celebration on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Across Pennsylvania, police funding and more health services unite parties
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – As murders have risen in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and public safety has garnered more political attention, Pennsylvania Democrats and Republicans have suggested different solutions, some big and some small. On public safety funding, however, both parties are aligned, at least for some level of increase.
Roe v. Wade: Pennsylvania law protects abortion; bipartisan effort to change looms
(The Center Square) – The future of abortion in Pennsylvania is an open question, as current state law protects it but both parties would like to change the law. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The court ruled 6-3 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s
Roe v. Wade: Pennsylvania law protects abortion; bipartisan effort to change looms
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – The future of abortion in Pennsylvania is an open question, as current state law protects it but both parties would like to change the law. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The court ruled 6-3
Pennsylvania can’t control inflation, but it can reform its tax, subsidy system
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s high taxes and spending, and its use of business subsidies, came under fire from tax experts and business leaders in a committee hearing on Tuesday. The Republican Policy Committee held its fourth hearing related to inflation, economic growth, and the problems facing the commonwealth;
Pennsylvania’s difficult shift for funding roads
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania has the highest state gas tax in America, but gas taxes can’t cover its infrastructure needs in the coming years, which will require some package of policy changes. A new research brief from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office noted that the average state gas tax burden
Pennsylvania gas hits $5, Philadelphia consumer price index at 40-year high
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – As gas prices rose nationally for 10 days straight, the average price for a gallon of gas in Pennsylvania has surpassed $5. And rising prices aren’t relegated to just fuel, either. The Philadelphia Consumer Price Index has increased by 8.4% year-over-year, the highest rate since 1981,
For some Pennsylvania colleges, funding may get tied to education outcomes
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – While one of Pennsylvania’s higher education systems has undergone major changes, another could see a funding shift that emphasizes results over routine increases. A new bill, HB2619, would award 3% to 10% of state funding for state-related universities based on graduation and retention rates, post-graduation employment
McCormick concedes to Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary that triggered recount
By The Center Square (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick on Friday conceded his race with Dr. Mehmet Oz, the reality TV star and heart surgeon who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The race was too close to call after the May 17 primary, with about 1,000 votes
Majority of Pennsylvanians think the state is on the wrong track
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – The appeal of living in Pennsylvania has been tough to pitch to people in other states, but it’s also been tough for leaders to persuade current residents to stay. More than 40% of voters considered leaving for another state, or knew someone who thought or
Philadelphia schools rely on $1.8 billion in federal pandemic to stay out of red ink
By Tom Gantert and Brett Rowland | The Center Square (The Center Square) – The Philadelphia public school district is relying on $1.8 billion in federal COVID-19 funding to stay out of a deficit. The district’s audited budget said the one-time COVID-19 relief money is expected to keep the district out of the red through fiscal
IRS Data: Pennsylvania keeps losing population and wealth
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) – Recently released IRS data confirmed some bad news for Pennsylvania: Its residents keep leaving for greener pastures elsewhere, threatening the future of the state’s civic bonds and economic growth. Put bluntly, Pennsylvania’s population future is bleak. While states like Florida, Texas, Arizona and the Carolinas
Teacher shortage: Pennsylvania bill eases access for out-of-state teachers into classrooms
By Anthony Hennen (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage is spurring action in the General Assembly to pass reforms and simplify its certification process for educators. A proposed bill, SB224, would assist out-of-state teachers’ certification to teach in Pennsylvania. So long as a teacher completed a state-approved teaching program elsewhere, they would be eligible for
High quit rates across the country – but not in Pennsylvania
By Anthony Hennen (The Center Square) – Job quit rates have been up since the pandemic, but Pennsylvania lags behind the national average. While that may look like stability and satisfaction with one’s job, it’s a sign of a lack of opportunity for workers in the commonwealth. An analysis by WalletHub found that Pennsylvania had one of
Hidden pension management fees – hundreds of millions of Pennsylvania dollars – could become public
By Anthony Hennen (The Center Square) – Public pensions in Pennsylvania have a transparency problem. Though the public retirement systems pay performance-based fees to investment managers, these fees aren’t reported or publicly available. Their costs, however, can be quite high. Pennsylvania’s public pensions have some of the lowest funding ratios in the country; the more
Election 2022: Policy summary of top GOP candidates for Pennsylvania governor
By Anthony Hennen Pennsylvania voters are less than a month away from the primaries on May 17, and some of the top Republican candidates for governor among a crowded field will appear in a televised debate on Wednesday. As it stands from polls aggregated by Real Clear Politics, the Republican field is led by five candidates:
Pennsylvania county demolition funds for blighted properties: a rural and urban divide
By Anthony Hennen Blighted properties are a problem in every county across Pennsylvania, and a proposed bill would make permanent a new fee counties can impose to raise funds for demolition. SB439, sponsored by Sen. David Argall, R-Berks/Schuylkill, would remove a 10-year sunset provision from Act 152 of 2016 that authorizes counties to create a
Gov. Wolf proposes $200 million for college scholarships
By Anthony Hennen A push from Gov. Tom Wolf could create a $200 million scholarship fund for students who attend public colleges in the state. “When it comes to pursuing a higher education, skyrocketing costs over the last decade have put that dream out of reach for too many families. Pennsylvanians are being priced out
Pennsylvania tax revenues stronger than anticipated, $580 million above estimates
By Anthony Hennen Pennsylvania’s tax receipts were strong for March 2022, with the Independent Fiscal Office revising its projections up by $580 million from its August estimate. Sales taxes, personal income taxes, and corporate net income taxes drove the rise, indicating that the economy is recovering from pandemic-related slowdowns. The labor force participation rate and
Pennsylvania bill would require mapping of overdose deaths
By Anthony Hennen The high number of drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania have been rising, but state agencies provide data on them on a voluntary basis only. That might change with a new bill requiring law enforcement and emergency responders to update the state’s map of overdoses quickly. SB1152 would require adding information on drug overdoses
Bill would give Pennsylvania voters power to reject any new taxes
By Anthony Hennen A proposed bill could mean more ballot referenda in Pennsylvania to prevent controversial tax increases, and also make it harder for localities or the General Assembly to boost tax revenues. Rep. David Rowe, R-Union/Snyder, introduced HB2432 to amend the Commonwealth’s constitution to add ballot questions during primary elections that would allow voters to override
New local taxes for public transit may be on the way for some Pennsylvania counties
By Anthony Hennen Public transportation funding has been a growing concern in some cities, and a proposed bill could give some Pennsylvania counties the authority to levy local taxes to support their transit systems. Rep. Tim Hennessey, R-Chester/Montgomery, introduced HB2366 to grant Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties the ability to levy taxes “for transit
Substitute teacher shortage means fewer barriers to hiring teachers
By Anthony Hennen While the pandemic has upset the norm in education, a substitute teacher shortage in Pennsylvania has sparked changes to state law and continues to delay the return of a normal school day. The shortage sometimes means pay spikes for substitutes, cutting into school district budgets. In the long run, shortages may require more
Pennsylvania politicians endorse idea of gas tax holiday
By Anthony Hennen (The Center Square) Gas prices, rising steadily over the last year and jumping dramatically since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, may not lead to a production spike, but the state and federal gas taxes could be paused to make the price shock less painful. Gov. Tom Wolf, along with five other governors,
New report argues it’s time for public-sector union reform in Pennsylvania
By Anthony Hennen A new report from the Commonwealth Foundation argues that Pennsylvania can increase economic growth and give workers more choice and freedom in their life – if the General Assembly reforms its government union like Wisconsin did a decade ago. “Government unions have enormous political power in Pennsylvania, due to a host of special legal privileges
Will the earned income tax credit come to Pennsylvania?
By Anthony Hennen A majority of states offer an earned income tax credit, and a recent bill could add Pennsylvania to the list. The EITC is a subsidy for low-income working families, though childless workers can sometimes benefit from it as well. “In general, research shows that the EITC encourages single people and primary earners
Pennsylvania universities ask for more funds, talk up keeping tuition low
By Anthony Hennen College costs and student debt remain high, and the Senate Appropriations Committee’s hearing with the leaders of Pennsylvania’s state-related universities was about how the General Assembly can help schools, rather than why its leaders aren’t doing more. While leaders of Penn State, Temple, Pitt, and Lincoln universities noted more funding from the
Pennsylvania parks a major source of revenue – for recreation and natural gas
By Anthony Hennen Pennsylvania’s state parks and game lands boost the state’s economy, livability, and attraction for future generations, top officials from the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources said. Testifying in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, Senators focused on the economic potential of state parks and developing natural gas to provide
Pennsylvania Legislature plans divestment from Russia
Writen by Anthony Hennen The Pennsylvania General Assembly is preparing to divest the Commonwealth’s connections to the Russian economy in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. “I will work with my colleagues in the state government to stop supporting anything that helps Russia,” Sen. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, said at a protest outside Philadelphia City
Staffing Pennsylvania prisons remains problematic
By Anthony Hennen | The Center Square (The Center Square) — The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections continues to deal with worker shortages as the effects of COVID-19 have changed how prisons in the commonwealth operate. A Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Thursday heard testimony from the heads of the Department of Corrections and Board of
Inflation, workforce issues dominate Pennsylvania House budget hearing
(The Center Square) – Officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development discussed inflation and staffing challenges, as well as the Wolf administration’s decisions to close businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, during a third day of budget hearings in the House Appropriations Committee. State Rep. Lynda Culver, R-Northumberland, highlighted record inflation numbers from
Report: School-choice demand shows why Pennsylvania lawmakers should expand programs
(The Center Square) – A new report is highlighting the record high demand for Pennsylvania’s school-choice programs as evidence lawmakers in Harrisburg should consider better ways of expanding access for families. The Commonwealth Foundation report looks at enrollment figures gleaned from public right-to-know requests for Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax
Pollster: Dr. Oz holds big lead in Pennsylvania U.S. Senate GOP primary thanks to Hannity
(The Center Square) – Celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz is leading the Republican primary contest for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania by double digits, according to a new poll. The survey of 1,070 likely Republican primary voters during the first four days of February shows 27.4% favor Oz if the election was held tomorrow. The Pennsylvania primary
Department of Justice flags Pennsylvania courts for opioid use disorder discrimination
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice is ordering the Pennsylvania court system to change how it deals with individuals prescribed medication for opioid use disorder after finding courts in multiple counties violated the American with Disabilities Act. An investigation by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division found Courts of Common Pleas in
Infrastructure bill sends $245M to Pennsylvania for abandoned mines clean up
(The Center Square) – Pennsylvania is set to receive $244.9 million this year through the federal infrastructure law to clean up abandoned mines across the commonwealth. The funding, announced this week by Gov. Tom Wolf, is the most by far of the 22 states and Navajo Nation that will receive a total of $725 million
Pennsylvania lawmakers host first hearing on legalizing recreational marijuana
(The Center Square) – The Pennsylvania Senate Law and Justice Committee’s first hearing on legalizing recreational marijuana featured testimony from state and local officials, law enforcement officers and security officials in the commonwealth’s medical marijuana industry. Committee Chair Mike Regan, R-Dillsburg, highlighted the shift away from prosecuting minor marijuana possession crimes in recent years and
Pennsylvania Supreme Court takes over congressional redistricting process
By Victor Skinner (The Center Square) The Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted an emergency application to take over the commonwealth’s congressional redistricting process, though the Commonwealth Court judge overseeing the case will remain as a special master. The Supreme Court’s order granting emergency application for extraordinary relief lays out the process and timeline the high court